Fils-Aime promises "much better" E3

By Robert Purchese Published 14 April, 2009

Hints at juicy Nintendo revelations.

Nintendo America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has promised to do a "much better job" at E3 this year.

"From Nintendo's perspective we always go into E3 with a very high bar, wanting to satisfy not only the core fans but also ourselves," Fils-Aime told GameTrailers.

"We're hoping to do a much better job this year," he added, mentioning the unnamed projects being created by the Zelda and Mario teams.

Nintendo disappointed the core audience at E3 last year by announcing just Wii Sports Resort, Animal Crossing Wii and GTA: Chinatown Wars. Even Miyamoto's animated demonstration of Wii Music was out of tune.

The result: an apology from the Satoru Iwata himself, although he denied ignoring core Wii owners on purpose.

Must try harder.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (73) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Stompy #1 3 years ago

    Fils-Aime looks like a Bo Selecta caricature. And surely a Bo Selecta game would appeal to the chavtastic masses? Get to it, Reggie.

  • GamesConnoisseur #2 3 years ago

    We 'hardcore' fans who loyally got N64 and Gamecube needs a far better offerings from Nintendo, sure I accept that they need to also focus on the lucrative 'casual' market but as the Wii is NOT doing well in Japan at moment. Most of us knew there is limited shelf life for mass consumer as they easily moved onto other fad or just buying Wii plus 1 or 2 games for rest of the console's life.

    The market is also about serving the consumers who are damn prepared to give their hard earned cashes for more of the Zelda, Mario plus new innovative fun gaming such as World of Goo.

    The proof as always is in the pudding and I ll wait and see what they ll come up with first.

  • retr0gamer #3 3 years ago

    Wii Music 2?

  • Stompy #4 3 years ago

    "Most of us knew there is limited shelf life for mass consumer as they easily moved onto other fad or just buying Wii plus 1 or 2 games for rest of the console's life."

    I look at the DS and wonder whether this is true... or is handheld a very different market to home console?

  • PlugMonkey #5 3 years ago

    "The proof as always is in the pudding and I ll wait and see what they ll come up with first."

    Which pudding is this exactly? The Wii Fit topping the charts for a record 11 weeks pudding?

  • Xerx3s #6 3 years ago

    "Which pudding is this exactly? The Wii Fit topping the charts for a record 11 weeks pudding? "

    No, more like the 'not even bothering to have a decent game last Christmas' pudding.

  • Stompy #7 3 years ago

    "The market is also about serving the consumers who are damn prepared to give their hard earned cashes for more of the Zelda, Mario plus new innovative fun gaming such as World of Goo."

    The market is about making money by selling goods that were produced as cheaply as possible. If Mario or Zelda don't work that way anymore, tough deku nuts.

  • DB2k #8 3 years ago

    well it is about time to churn out another Zelda game... and maybe another Mario to boot..

  • Xerx3s #9 3 years ago

    Oh and ffs, please let it be something else than another mario or zelda game. After 20 years, enough is enough.

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #10 3 years ago

    ...mentioning the unnamed projects being created by the Zelda and Mario teams.

    ^_^

  • Malek86 #11 3 years ago

    With just a month from now, we can only wait and see if that's true.

    But lately Reggie has been on an epic fail streak so I'm not expecting much.

  • Cappy #12 3 years ago

    I don't think they would be making promises and setting themselves up for an eventual backlash after E3 so I'm inclined to believe interesting news is coming.

    Perhaps a new Pilot Wings, or a new Blast Corps (unless Rare own the IP), more Pikmin would be great also.

  • sanctusmortis #13 3 years ago

    It'll just be a GraphJam fan convention again. We all know it, he knows it, why bother lying.

  • Prime #14 3 years ago

    Well at least it can't be worse than last year......right??

  • sifujames #15 3 years ago

    I'm not holding my breath that we'll get any kind of huge earth-shattering announcement. I mean, I love Mario and Zelda, and will happily play any new titles, but I'd quite like something really new that isn't just an update of an old title or a collection of minigames - something with some real depth that's gonna take weeks to finish

  • zuljin #16 3 years ago

    I think a new Starfox could possibly persuade me to get one...

  • Burkey123 #17 3 years ago

    Kid Icarus or new Starfox please!!
    Anyway I'm quietly getting excited about Nintendo's E3 conference, but still with a bit of worry.

  • michaelius #18 3 years ago

    Ah so they will probably release Wii Fit 2 :)

  • LazyDan #19 3 years ago

    oh god what did he say this for



    usual wii thread pissing and moaning

    "needs a zelda or a mario!"

    "it better not be a zelda or a mario!"

    or crying for updates to their other IPs, only for any actual announcement of them to be dismissed as crap right away despite it being exactly as it should be (see: Animal Crossing.)

  • kinky_mong #20 3 years ago

    The kid in me is hopeful that they'll announce a proper Starfox sequel (none of this RPG/ strategy arse, just a straight on rails shooter with bags of Nintendo magic).

    But the adult in me is grimly pessimistic that they'll announce Wii Play 2 with a free nunchuck.

  • PlugMonkey #21 3 years ago

    "So what if Wii fit tops the charts for 11 weeks, are you a gamer or a Nintendo employee?. Why does non game stuff like this at the top of the charts make you happy?."

    Who said it makes me happy? Who said it makes me anything? I am making an observation that comments like:

    "Most of us knew there is limited shelf life for mass consumer as they easily moved onto other fad"

    seem at odds to the reality of the situation: that Wii Fit continues to sell better than any so called 'hardcore' games.

    So, why do Nintendo have to come up with the greatest ever Zelda or F-Zero? Why do you think they will (or should) give a flying fudgebar whether they are being laughed at by 'real gamers'? It was pitching their last two consoles at 'real gamers' that turned them into such rip-roaring failures.

    I don't understand this notion that Nintendo owe me something any more than the notion that I owe Nintendo anything. If they want to become the world's most successful manufacturer of lifestyle apps and games for my mum, then good luck to them. It's better than them becoming yet another bankrupt developer of 'real' games for 'real' gamers.

  • Progguitarist #22 3 years ago

    "It cant be worse than last year"

    They could take a shit into a plastic Wii case and it would probably be a better showing than last year.

  • AphoticCosmos #23 3 years ago

    REGGEEEEEEHHHHHH!

  • menage #24 3 years ago

    @Lord

    Did you mean Metroid instead of Turrican?

    Talking about that, I'd love a new 2D Turrican. And bring back the guy who did those awesome German synth tracks as well:p
    Edited by 1 at 14/04/09 @ 18:24

  • bad09 #25 3 years ago

    Even if they didn't turn up it would be better than the truly AWFUL E3 Ninty had last year, mind you all 3 should be looking to up their game massively this year to keep gamers even remotely interested in this annual sales meeting.

    Creepy Reg says core fans, so Zelda, Mario....er...that's all the "core" gamers want isn't it?

    Still, while I cringe at most stuff on Wii and DS, I will, as always, tune in to see if they can win me back. Doubt it, although a new Star Fox based on the first or SF64 - NOTHING AFTER might work Ninty....
    Edited by 1 at 14/04/09 @ 18:30

  • smelly #26 3 years ago

    "although he denied ignoring core Wii owners on purpose."

    I can see that. After all it does take a while to make big games like mario and zelda - so maybe last year there was just nothing ready to show.

  • Ryze #27 3 years ago

    Yawn, Nintendo - yawn.

    I'll wait for all of this to happen, as you've bullshitted the core audience so far. Congrats on all of those sales though, and congrats on having an excellent console strategy and marketing campaign.

    Now bring on the Wiimotionplus integration and the flood of DECENT games. Otherwise - see ya in 5 years.

  • CallousB #28 3 years ago

    As much as it will annoy the hardcore..the smart titles to concentrate on in their conference will be Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus (if it exists)....oh and ROB 2 if they want a new gimmick to hook the masses.

    E3 is little more than a place to advertise your most likely system sellers.

    As far as F-Zero..if I was Nintendo I would stick Mario and chums in the vehicles and call it" Mario Kart Future"..it would guarantee an extra 10 million + sales.

  • drumbaby #29 3 years ago

    Ye-fucking-awn.

  • ytzulu #30 3 years ago

    Once apon a time I played a game on the wii

  • sifujames #31 3 years ago

    Things most of us want (probably): Starfox, Pilotwings, 1080, F-Zero

    Things we'll be pleased with, but not surprised by: Super Mario, Zelda

    Things we'll all moan about: Wii Fit 2, Animal Crossing, Mario Party 18 (or whatever number it's up to now)

    Things I personally would really like to see: Zack & Wiki 2, new Okami (both with MotionPlus), Virtua Cop (non of which are by Nintendo... hmmm...)

  • BartonFink #32 3 years ago

    Well based on last years performance and the apparent height of their 'bar' we should expect something bordering on ok possibly poor. Anything would be an improvement on last year.

  • MORZTAN #33 3 years ago

    I don't have high hopes. Nintedos new strategi regarding announcements for new games seems to be that they only show them 6 to 8 months before they are released. Now if they show us a Zelda, A Mario and two or three other big games, it would mean that they all were going to be released within a rather short timespan. I don't see that happening (again) like with Mario Galaxy and Metroid 3

  • Stompy #34 3 years ago

    "Nintendo need to show the best damn Zelda game ever... most awesome F-Zero... ever seen... planet earth... or they will continue... laughed at... by real gamers."

    You must have forgotten to use the allowed tags. Surely you meant REAL gamers?
    Please explain why, if you are far less numerous than non-real (virtual?) gamers, a massive international business should care about your laughter.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #35 3 years ago

    I am obviously a big Nintendo fan but I have to admit after the last couple of E3s this is a bit hard to believe. Not that I am disappointed with what I get to play on the Wii but let's face it, the last shows have been very dire to say the least.

  • Grogmonkey #36 3 years ago

    Unless my definition of 'core' is wildly at odds with that of everyone else (which is to say 'core' meaning 'central', 'important', 'essential'), then surely Nintendo's core audience is, in fact, the 40-something housewives, kids and the elderly. The so-called 'casual gamer', in orther words. So lots of things for 'hardcore' gamers is not necessarily on the cards.

    Of course, Fils-Aime could be simply truncating 'hardcore' and thereby referring to the fervant gamer crowd with his "wanting to satisfy ... the core fans" comment, rather than the people that are actually making Nintendo an awful lot of money. Because appeasing the rabid, unsatisfiable fanbase is clearly the smart thing for Nintendo to do. Instead of bringing out more things for the people that are making them such a phenominal success.

  • smelly #37 3 years ago

    LOL @Grogmonkey - well put

    I *do* love how geeks on internet forums (i.e. us) think that somehow every game should be made for them as their opinion is the only one which matters (While ignoring that they are in the minority)

  • smelly #38 3 years ago

    Just noticed : E3 is 4 days before motionplus gets released.

    Therefor it stands to reason a MAJORITY of the games shown will be ones which show off the motion plus.

  • smelly #39 3 years ago

    @Menage: "Did you mean Metroid instead of Turrican?"

    new turrican has been rumoured for wii for ages

  • Goodfella #40 3 years ago

    Yeah, well put Grogmonkey, I don't think

    Perhaps the poeple who have being buying Nintendo consoles and games for over a decade actually want their latest investment, the Wii, to have some proper games released and not a barrage of games designed to appeal to your mum, infant children and grandparents.

  • Evolution #41 3 years ago

    I'd prefer watching Reggie than the other woman.

  • smelly #42 3 years ago

    Goodfella: sigh children!

  • Grogmonkey #43 3 years ago

    I've owned every single Nintendo console (home, handheld and a few Game and Watches) that have been released in the UK. I've been someone who appreciates Nintendo's output in the sphere of video game entertainment for well over two decades. I have also realised (back in the N64 era) that Nintendo doesn't give a shit about me. As someone from the UK, I have seen several franchises pass us by due to a complete lack of localisation on Nintendo's part. Those that are localised are brought to these shores sometimes years after their release in other territories (see Animal Crossing for a fine example). And this is back in the days when they focussed entirely on the 'hardcore' market.

    Now they have a new market, that has made them the most successful (and probably profitable) console in history. O (bviously, the PS2 has sold more currently, but those who think it won't surpass that figure are, arguably, crazy). To see Nintendo pass over the entire hardcore maket with the Wii is no shock to me.

    And can you blame them? Is there any legitimate reason for Nintendo to court the hardcore audience anymore?

    By all means, hope all you want. It could actually happen this time. Personally, I doubt it. From a business standpoint it doesn't make much sense (Nintendo fans have historically been pretty willing to hoover up anything with Nintendo branded on it for years now regardless of their apparant stand towards the 'fanboy market', and that will doubtless continue).

    Either way, it's no skin off my nose. If they release great games, I'll buy 'em. If they don't, I have a bunch of other platforms to play games on. Every market evolves now and then. It could be that it's time for Nintendo to focus exclusively on the casual market. And if that's what works for them, more power to them.

  • Goodfella #44 3 years ago

    So, your entire argument is based on what's best for Nintendo at any cost?

    Did you ever stop to think that companies do actually care for their consumers and fanbase and consider their efforts an investment for repeated purchases?

    So, Nintendo, who apparently are now basing their buisness strategy on making a fast buck are to be respected?

    You know what, fuck you and fuck Nintendo, the world would be better place without you, mark my words.

  • Goodfella #45 3 years ago

    Goodfella: sigh children!

    You know, when you make comments like that it doesn't impress anyone. We all know you're the worlds biggest Nintendo fanatic, it's not cool to be one though.

  • smelly #46 3 years ago

    "You know what, fuck you and fuck Nintendo, the world would be better place without you, mark my words."


    Yes you're right.. the world would be a better place with only the games YOU like on the market wouldnt it. While forgetting that not everyone likes the same stuff you do.

    Sigh.. Get over yourself.
    Edited by 1 at 14/04/09 @ 21:41

  • smelly #47 3 years ago

    "You know, when you make comments like that it doesn't impress anyone. We all know you're the worlds biggest Nintendo fanatic, it's not cool to be one though."


    Yes.. its "cool" to be you isnt it?

    You sad sad pathetic child.


  • Grogmonkey #48 3 years ago

    Okay, so which parts of my previous comments about how Nintendo haven't cared about you EVER did you skip reading?

    And did I ever say Nintendo didn't care about anyone? No. They don't care about YOU. They care quite a lot about their new market of young, middle age and elderly new gamers.

    But of course, you don't count them as a market. Because you're a self-obsessed hardcore gamer that only cares about what's best for him. To Hell with Nintendo's needs! What does it matter if they don't make any money selling you the hardcore games that 30 people in the entire world buy. YOU appreciate it. YOU are happy that you're getting what you want.

    In fact, sod it. Let's just stay exactly the same forever. Nintendo can never evolve their business model, and you never have to worry about not getting your 'hardcore' F-Zero fix. Stagnation is the way to go! It's what got us where we are today!

    The bottom line is this: everything changes, eventually. Sometimes even video game developers that have been around since the '80s. Hell, Nintendo started off making trading cards and pachinko machines. Now, they are evolving again. You can go with it and embrace it (and heck, maybe even enjoy it), or you can evolve, too. Move on to other platforms, or something. Raging against the internet certainly isn't going to change anything.

    PS: I don't think I was being unreasonable with my comments. I feel I had legitimate points. The fact that you responded so violently probably means I hit a nerve. I suspect I have told you the truths you don't want to admit to yourself. Or you're just a douche. One of the two...

  • smelly #49 3 years ago

    Wouldnt it be boring if all 3 consoles were full of the same "hardcore" fps games? What about those of us who dont like fps games - and have played so many of them we're sick of the boring site of them now that they seem only to have different stories to tell them apart.

    (replace fps with gta clones and re-read the above sentence for them too)

    Why on hell would i chose one machine over the other if all 3 had the exact same style games on them?

    Side note: Also interesting to note that one of the 360's best sellers is a "casual" game too.. Fifa is about as casual as they come.
    Edited by 1 at 14/04/09 @ 21:48

  • canIdoyabombsforya #50 3 years ago

    I was a hardcore Amiga owner once, I think.

  • bionutz #51 3 years ago

    I think rpg's are also hardcore. give me some normal rpg's on the wii... nothing mutated to the nintendo universe though please.

  • migasUK #52 3 years ago

    it will be the same from last year with Microsoft ruling the party.

  • smelly #53 3 years ago

    I remember when all the forum nerds on here used to slag off microsoft as that was the cool thing to do then (around release of xbox).

    i remember being the only one to defend them and everyone calling me a microsoft fanboy.

    My how things have changed :-)

    Funny how its those kids who consider themselves "hardcore" because they read a few gaming websites - they believe strongly that their opinion is the only one that matters - despite them not really ever buying that many games.

    Strange innit? :-)

  • Goodfella #54 3 years ago

    Assume all you want Grogmonkey, this is just the internet, you're not important, neither am I, smelly is even less important as he's a truly sad Nintendophile who gets really wound up by comments from people who have justifiable complaints.

    Seriously, calling me a sad sad pathetic child? I hardly think my rather coherant post warrants such a response, unless of course it's because you are the child and don't have the appropriate diction or vocabulary to expand on your opinions?



  • smelly #55 3 years ago

    But you are a sad pathetic child.

    i bet you've never so much have gotten a kiss from a girl which wasnt your mommy

  • mega7ech #56 3 years ago

    @migasUK

    "it will be the same from last year with Microsoft ruling the party."

    Yeah Microsoft rule! FUCKING RULE!!
    The Wii = Pfff!

    (I do secretly like PS3 tho - Shh!)

  • FenderMaster #57 3 years ago

    Please God not another Mario or Zelda title, I never thought I'd say this... but I'm sick of them...

    How about a mature (not to be confused with immature -Saints Row) new franchise? One specifically geared towards teens and adults?

  • electrolite #58 3 years ago

    Something new by the Mario and Zelda teams would be great. More Mario and Zelda less so.

  • electrolite #59 3 years ago

    "You know what, fuck you and fuck Nintendo, the world would be better place without you, mark my words. "


    Dear oh dear.

  • smelly #60 3 years ago

    "Something new by the Mario and Zelda teams would be great. More Mario and Zelda less so. "

    I dont see why not... We've had two halo games since the last zelda.. And so far we've only had one mario per generation since the n64!

    So its not as if they're pumping them out once a year or anything is it?

    I for one would welcome a new wii specific (not cube) zelda (hasnt been one yet remember). Or something as innovative as mario galaxy.


    Edited by 2 at 14/04/09 @ 23:19

  • sneetch #61 3 years ago

    God I love the ignore function here. Stripping 13, no doubt, riviting, well balanced posts so I don't have to even see them.

    Anyway, I'm eager to see what they show, I'm hoping for a good old adventure game. I suspect what they announce will be a loooong time in the future though.

  • smelly #62 3 years ago

    I dont know if you're ignoring me or not.. but wtf:

    "I suspect what they announce will be a loooong time in the future though. "


    Actually - if you look at recent announcements - they tend more recently to announce games a month or two in advance of release dates..

  • Matt_82 #63 3 years ago

    How the hell do you pronounce Reggie`s surname?

  • bad09 #64 3 years ago

    "How the hell do you pronounce Reggie`s surname? "

    I believe it's pronounced MUNSTER

  • Freek #65 3 years ago

    They say that every year, then they putt out next to nothing.

  • PlugMonkey #66 3 years ago

    Goodfella:
    "You know what, fuck you and fuck Nintendo, the world would be better place without you, mark my words. "

    and

    "I hardly think my rather coherant post warrants such a response, unless of course it's because you are the child and don't have the appropriate diction or vocabulary to expand on your opinions? "

    Heh heh. That's genuinely quite funny. That's really appropriate diction and vocabulary, that is. Doesn't make you at all seem like a petulant child.

    I still just don't get this "I bought a Nintendo console in the 80s so Nintendo owe me life long allegience!!!!!"

    No they don't. Their last two consoles were catastrophic failures, so they have changed their business model. You seem convinced it'll be a flash in the pan, but seeing as it's been a record-selling, 11 weeks at #1 sort of flash - combined with the fact that the 'loyal hardcore fans' ambivalence to their last two efforts nearly killed them - I imagine they'll probably not mind too much.

  • Evolution #67 3 years ago

    @PlugMonkey

    "Their last two consoles were catastrophic failures"

    That's a bit harsh, some of the best games ever made are on those consoles.

  • JahB #68 3 years ago

    How about a mature (not to be confused with immature -Saints Row) new franchise? One specifically geared towards teens and adults?

    doesn't work on the wii. just look at the madworld sales

  • mkreku #69 3 years ago

    Whatever they announce will have Mario in it. As always. "Cow milking with Mario". "Mario Wrestling (with happy tomatoes)". "Star Mario (in a galaxy far, far away.. but not far enough)". Milk away, Nintendo.

  • scouserfuller9 #70 3 years ago

    Not confident a Zelda game for the Wii will be shown having seen one for the DS a few weeks back. Miyamoto's assitant (can't remember his name) said a few weeks back he wants to make one better than OOT before he finnshes so they may be working harder leaving us waiting longer this time?

  • sneetch #71 3 years ago

    @Matt_82
    How the hell do you pronounce Reggie`s surname?

    I believe it's pronounced (more or less) "Fee aim" in English. Being French for "beloved son" and all, again, I believe.

    Or possibly Fills-Amy. Although that sounds a bit rude. ;)

  • sneetch #72 3 years ago

    @PlugMonkey
    No they don't. Their last two consoles were catastrophic failures, so they have changed their business model. You seem convinced it'll be a flash in the pan, but seeing as it's been a record-selling, 11 weeks at #1 sort of flash - combined with the fact that the 'loyal hardcore fans' ambivalence to their last two efforts nearly killed them - I imagine they'll probably not mind too much.

    OK, I know this was directed at someone else but that never stopped me butting in before. ;)

    Do I feel that they owe me because I own every single console they made (apart from the original NES and some hand-held variants)? No, not really, I made the decision to buy them like I made the decision to buy a Wii and TBH I feel like I got my moneys worth with Mario Galaxy alone.

    Do I feel a little peeved that they've switched direction and focus so drastically with Wii? Yeah, I do. It's probably that I feel a bit of a sucker to have bought it based on the expectations that, by now, two and a half (ish) years into the console's life I'd be enjoying the Wii equivalent of Pikmin (i.e. something as joyous, endearing and refreshing as Pikmin was rather than Pikmin 3, specifically). It's been a long, lean year since Smash Brothers was released.

    As for ambivalence towards the last two consoles, that doesn't apply to us all, I have at home about 50 GameCube and 50 N64 games but about 10 or so Wii ones. So far most of the content just hasn't appealed to me at all, even with Nintendo's "core gamer" content I feel I've seen it all before on the 'Cube, sometimes I literally have.

    Although I may complain about them I have every faith in Nintendo, they always deliver in the end. Or they have so far.

  • Matt_82 #73 3 years ago

    "Or possibly Fills-Amy. Although that sounds a bit rude. ;) "

    Eww. Cheers, I`ve only ever known him as Reggie so I think this may be the first time I`ve seen his surname.

    Also lol @ Munster